42227 Lengthening of palate
Also known as: palate lengthening, secondary palate surgery
Surgical lengthening of the soft palate using secondary or revision techniques to improve velopharyngeal function or address persistent insufficiency.
In Plain Language
revision surgery to lengthen soft palate
Clinical Context
Secondary lengthening procedure for persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency, hyponasal speech, or obstructive symptoms not resolved by initial surgery.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 9.65 |
| Total RVU | 9.65 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 9.65, this code ranks in the 57th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.2x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 42227?
CPT 42227 (Lengthening of palate) is a Surgery code. Surgical lengthening of the soft palate using secondary or revision techniques to improve velopharyngeal function or address persistent insufficiency.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 42227?
The work RVU for CPT 42227 is 9.65. This code is primarily used by Oral Surgery, Otolaryngology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 42227 used?
Secondary lengthening procedure for persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency, hyponasal speech, or obstructive symptoms not resolved by initial surgery.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.